Sharon K. Ganssle, age 84 of St. Thomas, ND passed away Friday, May 24, 2024 at the McAllen Transitional Care Center of McAllen, Texas.
Sharon Kaye Lunde was born March 1, 1940 in Grafton, North Dakota, the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Mahar) Lunde.  She attended and graduated from St. Thomas High School.  Sharon was united in marriage to Donald Ganssle on October 20, 1958 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural St. Thomas, ND.  The couple made their home in Crookston, St. Thomas, California for seven years, Minot for two years and settled in St. Thomas, where they farmed and raised their family.  She taught piano lessons for many years.  Sharon hauled potatoes for Don and happened to be his best driver.  The couple wintered in Alamo, Texas for the last 26 years.
She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, ND, the Hobby and Culture Guild and the Homemakers Club.  Sharon loved to be with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She played organ in church for over 30 years.  She loved to travel, camp, eat out, shopping, coloring, flowers and gardening.
Sharon is survived by her husband Donald Ganssle, St. Thomas, ND; her daughters:  Susan (Rick) Bigwood, St. Thomas, ND; Cindy (Roger) Littlejohn, St. Thomas, ND; her grandchildren:  Kayla (Doug) Skramstad, Chad (Valerie) Bigwood, Amanda Littlejohn, Ethan (Amanda) Littlejohn; seven greatgrandchildren; her siblings:  Shirley (Tom) Pico, Emmetsburg, IA; Sandy (Emmett) Currans, Emmetsburg, IA; John “Buzz” (Tammy) Lunde, Jr., St. Thomas, ND; Tim (Renee) Lunde, St. Thomas, ND.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Tom Lunde.
Funeral services will be Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural St. Thomas, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.



Services Visitation

•   Thursday, June 13, 2024
•   1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• St. Paul's Lutheran Church
     8750 144th Ave. Ne
  Saint Thomas, ND 58276

Funeral Service

•   Thursday, June 13, 2024
•   2:00 PM

• St. Paul's Lutheran Church
     8750 144th Ave. Ne
  Saint Thomas, ND 58276

​

Dorothy M. Axvig, age 103 of Park River and formerly Rugby, ND passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River, with her loving family by her side. 
Dorothy Marie (Ingulsrud) Axvig was born December 14, 1920 in Cavalier County near Milton, ND to Ben and Amanda (Berntson) Ingulsrud. Dorothy attended elementary school in a one-room school in Osford Township.  She graduated from high school at Walsh County Agriculture School in Park River, ND in 1939. 
On November 8, 1942, Dorothy was united in marriage with Kenneth H. Axvig at Hitterdal Lutheran Church, Milton, ND.  They lived at Hoople, ND and their three sons were born.  In 1958, they moved to Rugby, ND and started Axvig Candy Co. Dorothy was employed as a receptionist at Admissions at the hospital.  Later she was the secretary for the juvenile court of Pierce, Bottineau, McHenry, and Renville Counties.  She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Rugby and was active in circle, WELCA, prayer chain and quilting.  Dorothy loved doing crossword puzzles, reading, writing letters, embroidering tablecloths, and crocheting afghans, which she gifted for graduations, birthdays, weddings, and baptisms. 
In 2012, Dorothy moved to Park River Good Samaritan assisted living apartments.  She became a member of Victory Free Church. 
Dorothy is survived by three sons: Keith (Linda) Axvig, Brainerd, MN, Dale Axvig, Cando, ND, David (Kathy) Axvig, Edinburg, ND; eight grandchildren: Connie Axvig, Rochester, MN, Corrie Axvig, Hudson, WI, Kristin (Dieter) Heinz, Stillwater, MN, Amy Dax, Sherman Oaks, CA, Kirsten (Dustin) Demarais, Morris, MN, Nathan (Sayward) Axvig, Moorhead, MN, Chad Axvig, Chaska, MN, and Kara (Brad) Ruhland, Park River, ND and 22 great grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Preceding her in death were her husband Kenneth, her parents, sisters Laura Schafer, Margaret Cummings, Eleanor Fjeld, and Bethel Cudmore, her brother Olger (Bud) Ingulsrud and daughter-in-law Sharon Axvig.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Victory Free Lutheran Church of Park River.  Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.  Interment will be at Hitterdal Lutheran Church of rural Fairdale, ND. 

Myrlin O. Troftgruben, age 89 of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Adams, ND, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Valley Senior Living of Grand Forks.
Myrlin was born February 1, 1935 in Edinburg, ND, the son of the late Halfdan and Margaret (Windingland) Troftgruben.  He grew up and attended school near Adams, graduating from Adams High School.  He was employed by the Johnson Store while in high school and he continued working there until being drafted into the US Army in March of 1957.  He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC until his discharge in March of 1959.  Following his discharge, he returned to Adams and was united in marriage to Carol Hanson on June 27, 1959.  The couple made their home in Adams and he worked for Orville Hagen at the implement for several years.  He purchased Myrlin’s Repair in 1962 which he ran until retiring in 1995.
He was a member of the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and the Adams American Legion Post.  He later joined the Lankin American Legion Post.  He served many years as the Mayor of Adams and also served as Fire Chief of the Adams Fire Department.  He enjoyed going to the lake, fishing, and hunting.
Myrlin is survived by his wife Carol Troftgruben; children: Eileen (Doug) James, Barbara (Wayne) Brandvold, Rhonda (Mark) Griecar, and Rodney (Cariann) Troftgruben; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; siblings: Duane (Lorraine) Troftgruben, Orlan Troftgruben, Mavis (Jim) Boura, and Bonnie Espelien; sister-in-law Mayvis Troftgruben; as well as several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Brian Barclay, brother LeRoy Troftgruben, sister-in-law Alice Troftgruben and nephew Shawn Troftgruben.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the Valley Senior Living on 42nd Chapel.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  Military rites will be provided by the Lankin American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.  The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.

Ramona Jean Horter, age 90 of Grafton, ND passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Lutheran Sunset Home with her beloved family by her side. 
Ramona Jean Evens was born on December 2, 1933 at the Deaconess Hospital of Grafton, North Dakota, the daughter of the late John and Mildred (Larson) Evens.  She grew up on the family farm located in Prairie Centre Township.  Ramona attended school in Voss. The family moved to Grafton in 1947, where she began attending Grafton High School and graduated with the class of 1951.  On July 10, 1955, Ramona united in marriage to Clifford Albert Horter at Grafton Lutheran Church.  Ramona was the office manager for the family business, Grafton Auto Electric.
Ramona and her husband were members of Zion English Lutheran Church of Grafton. 
She is survived by her children: Denise Anderson, East Grand Forks, MN, Todd (Ellen) Horter, Grafton, ND, Clay Horter, Grafton, ND, and son-in-law Steve (Carla)Feltman, Grand Rapids, MN; grandchildren: Tiffany (Matt) Foss, Danielle (Eric) Streitz, Lee (Stacy) Feltman, Kathryn (Michael) Purcell, Jenna (Dustin) Sobolik, Evan (Amy) Horter, Megan Horter, Amy Horter, and Lauren Horter; great grandchildren: Wyatt and Nolan Foss, Amelia Streitz, Gabriel and Lucas Feltman, and Theodore Purcell; and sister-in-law: Judy Evens, St. Paul, MN.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clifford, daughter Laurie Feltman, and siblings: Eulalie Young, Morris Evens, and Arlyss Bjornson. 
Memorial Services will be Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion English Lutheran Church of Grafton. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.  Inurnment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery, Grafton, North Dakota. Please consider memorials to Zion English Lutheran Church, Lutheran Sunset Home, or Unity Medical Center. 

Donna M. Sunstrom, age 73 of Grafton, ND passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River.

Donna Hayden was born in Britton, SD on September 22, 1950 to the late Lyle and Verna (Matthiesen) Hayden.  She grew up and attended schools in Henning and Deer Creek. She graduated from Deer Creek in 1968. Following her education, she was united in marriage to Jerome Sunstrom on October 4, 1969.  The couple made their home in Deer Creek and then moved to Wadena where she worked at Pamida.They later moved to Argyle and then to Grafton, ND where she was active in the River of Life Church where she taught Sunday School and was in charge of hospitality.

She was a member of Blowers Chapel in Ottertail County.

She enjoyed baking, playing games, and spending time with family. 

She is survived by her husband Jerome, Grafton, ND, sons: Rick (Jennifer) Sunstrom, Grafton, ND, Jason Sunstrom, Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Chris, Kali, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jordan, Joshua, and Joelle (Jacob) Schmuck ; great grandchildren: Lincoln and Holden; siblings: Bill (Dawn) Hayden and Dan (Ruth) Hayden, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers: Lyle Jr., Rodney, and Jerry.

Memorial services will be Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Faith Evangelical Free Church of Grafton.  Visitation will be for 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.  A graveside service will take place at the Wadena Cemetery on June 8th at 1 pm with a meal to follow.

Theresa Schuster Lambert passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 92.
Theresa J. Schuster was born September 9, 1931 to Harry and Eva (Stoltman) Schuster in Pulaski Township, near Grafton, ND.
Theresa attended grade school at School District #83, which was a mile away from home.  She went to high school in Grafton, ND.  After moving to Seattle, WA, Theresa continued her education, studying psychology and sociology.
In October 1951, Theresa left the farm and moved to Seattle, where she met and married Glen Lambert on December 31, 1952.  Theresa was a master at meeting people wherever she went, so working as a waitress and managing restaurants gave her the perfect opportunities!  Theresa worked with handicap citizens and taught at a school while attending class herself.  Theresa was an active volunteer in fundraisers and instrumental in the building of a group home for special needs children, where she eventually placed her special needs daughter, Sheri Lee.
Theresa enjoyed Western Swing dancing and traveled throughout the US with her dance club. She received a Washington State Swing Championship award and a Hall of Fame Star from the Seattle Swing Dance Club.  Theresa enjoyed sports; especially the Seattle Mariners baseball team.  Her season tickets, along with a city bus ride to the park, made her day for many years.  Theresa knew all the opposing team players and especially players who were from the Midwest.  She knew all their stats!
Theresa is survived by her daughter Terri Jean (Ron) Shelton; granddaughter Ronda Shelton; great grandson Nicolas Shelton; brother Ken (Judy) Schuster; as well as nurse friend and caregiver Margret and her dance club friends.  Theresa is preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Eva Schuster; daughter Sheri Lee; brothers: Joseph, Eugene, and Herman Schuster; sister Evelyn Feltman; sisters-in-law Lorraine Schuster and Leona Schuster; and ex-husband Glen Lambert.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will be at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Warsaw, ND.
​

Craig Martin Brumbaugh passed away on May 2nd, 2024 at 67 years of age at his home in Cavalier, North Dakota. Craig was born in Westfield, New Jersey on October 29th, 1956 to John and Jane Brumbaugh. He attended and graduated from the University of Colorado, Fort Collins after studying forestry. After working in the state of Colorado, he moved to Walhalla, North Dakota, where he worked in the North Dakota Forest Service for 20 years and met his wife, Brenda. He afterward transitioned to the National Resource Conservation Service and served in numerous locations throughout the state, Langdon, Minnewaukan, Forman, and Rolla. He had just transitioned back home to Cavalier the week of his passing.

Craig married Brenda Gussman on August 1st, 1992 in Cavalier, with a reception at Frost Fire Ski Lodge, a place they both treasured. They made their home in Walhalla and lived there together for 5 years, a time in which their daughter Bethany was born. They then moved to Cavalier a few years later, where they lived for 25 years. He was an active member in faith communities, including the Baptist Church of Cavalier and Gideons International. His favorite place and activity was being in the Brumbaugh Christmas Tree Farm, where he poured his heart and soul season after season.

He is survived by his loving wife Brenda, daughter Bethany, dog son Ollie, his brothers Mark (Gaye Swanson) and Peter (Patty) Brumbaugh and Cheryl (Kevin) Sikkema, numerous nieces and nephews, and his in-laws Kathleen (Gussman) and Victor Kentor.

 A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and the Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. all at the Cavalier Evangelical Free Church, Cavalier, ND.
Craig will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

   Elaine Kalis, 90, of Cavalier, ND passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Wedgwood Manor in Cavalier, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Brigid of Ireland Catholic Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Monday May 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service at the church.
     Elaine Doyle was born January 27, 1934 to George and Yvonne (Martineau) Doyle at Leroy, ND. She was raised and attended school in Leroy. On April 4, 1951, she married Lawrence Kalis. Elaine worked at the Gadaire Store in Leroy, Eagan Farms for over 40 years, and the American Crystal beet piler at Midway.
     She enjoyed her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great granddaughter. Elaine was the life of the party as she enjoyed people, having fun, dancing, and being with friends.
     Elaine is survived by her son, Francis (Mary) Kalis, Walhalla, ND, grandson: Corey Kalis, Jamestown, ND and Shon (Jenny) Kalis, Devils Lake, ND, great grandchildren: Michael, Natsha, Ethan, Preston, Max, Addisson, Courtney, Laci, Connor, and Ty, great-great granddaughter, Reign. Also surviving are her siblings: Mary Peterson, Jimmy (Corrine) Doyle, Francis Doyle, Junie Doyle, Ann Armstrong, Patricia Rodvold, Grace (Harry) Pelletier, and Manny (Nordis) Doyle.
     Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Lawrence, sisters: Evelyn, Carolyn, and Marie and nieces and nephew who were very special to her.

Dennis Alfred Johnson, age 78, passed away peacefully in his home on March 12, 2024. He was born November 26, 1945 to Alfred and Dorothy (Knutson) Johnson at home in Brinsmade, ND. He grew up on a farm outside of Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School in 1963. Dennis met Shirley Peiler during high school and they married on November 29, 1963 at North Prairie Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary along with their children last fall.  
Dennis graduated from UND and worked as a high school business teacher, first in Dickinson, ND and later moving to Grafton, ND where he led the DECA club. In 1975, he took a job as a juvenile probation officer in Cavalier, ND where he covered Cavalier, Pembina and Walsh counties. His work had a positive influence on many teens.
Dennis and Shirley made their home in Cavalier, where they raised their three daughters. He was a fan of all sports and loved watching his girls and grandkids participate in their activities, making it a priority to attend as many events as he could. He was an “original” girl dad who put together and coached a girls softball team for his girls and their friends. He also led confirmation for many years at United Lutheran Church.
After 32 years, he retired from the State of ND and he and Shirley decided to become snowbirds. They found a second home in Viewpoint Resort in Mesa, AZ. There they found plenty of both golf and good friends.
Dennis had many hobbies. He was an avid reader, and as his eye sight deteriorated, due to macular degeneration, he found audio books and consumed a countless number of them. He enjoyed bowling, tinkering in his garage, building things, spending summer weekends at Roy Lake, being captain of the pontoon, fishing, hunting, and, above all, doing anything with his grandkids. After his kids left home, Dennis and Shirley enjoyed traveling. Their trips included Hawaii, Alaska, cruises and many bus trips across the United States. One day he tried golf…and was hooked! From then on, he took his clubs everywhere he went and golfed as many courses as possible. During his first year in ViewPoint, he and a friend found a need for a more relaxed golf league where friends could get together and enjoy a round of golf. They created the Bummers league which quickly became very popular. Dennis found great enjoyment in running the league and interacting with all the golfers. His friends were an important part of his life and he enjoyed hunting and fishing trips, golf leagues, happy hours and hosting get-togethers. His Cavalier golf buddies were especially dear to him.
Dennis loved his grandchildren and was very proud of them. He was very close to them all and he and Shirley loved visiting with them and talking about their lives. Dennis’ great grandchildren were especially precious to him. The joy he got from playing with them was undeniable.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Cheryl (Ken) Kresien of Roy Lake, MN, Christi (Kirk) Carlson of Horace, ND, and Nancy (Tim) Holub of Tabor, MN; grandchildren, Eric (Stephanie) Kresien, Colton (Starlee) Holub, Dillon (Nicole) Bachand, Alec Kresien, Courtney (Zach) Dent, Zach Carlson and Nick Carlson; great grandchildren, Olivia, Deklan, Everlee, Charlotte (Charlie) and Harper.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Dorothy, sister Evadean Baglien and brother Wayne Johnson.


In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to:
Eye-Link North Dakota (this organization provided Dennis with many tools as he lost vision including magnifier readers and other vision resources)- https://nd.eye-link.org/, P.O. Box 7535,
  Fargo, ND, 58106
United Lutheran Church (Endowment Fund or Wednesday School Fund), 104 Bjornson Drive, Cavalier, ND 58220
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the time of services.